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Post by vita77 on May 19, 2006 15:56:53 GMT -5
Cynthia, that doesn't make sense. You should either be riding on a flat pedal in conventional shoes, or you should be riding on one of the small "clipless" pedals in special cycling shoes.
I looked up your bike, and it comes stock with Shimano 505R SPD pedals. SPD is a particular cycling shoe cleat system (it's what I have on my pedals/shoes). You have to wear cycling shoes to ride with SPD pedals. I can't find specific information on that pedal model (or a picture for you to verify that these are indeed what you have), but my suspicion is that you have a pedal-shoe mismatch.
Call the bike shop and ask them if your pedals are indeed SPD pedals, and meant to be used with a cycling shoe. If so, you have two choices:
Buy flat pedals and wear your tennis shoes to ride. Buy cycling shoes to fit your pedals and learn how to use the clips - takes some practice and can be a bit scary at first.
Here's a more flexible option: I had my bike equipped with two-sided pedals where one side's flat and the other side has an SPD clip. I rode in tennis shoes on the flat side for over a year. I then got up the nerve to invest in cycling shoes and taught myself to clip in. I still have these pedals on my Sirrus, and they work great.
BTW, I cannot believe that a reputable bike shop allowed you to walk out of the store with clipless pedals, but no shoes. Shame on them! Good luck.
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Post by xenagoddess on May 20, 2006 10:56:08 GMT -5
I'm sorry. I should have mentioned that the pedals are two sided. I am riding on the flat side with my tennis shoes. The pedals are so small (because of the cleat system on the other side) that my size 10 dogs flop over the sides. Maybe I should try the cleat system.
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Post by vita77 on May 20, 2006 21:42:09 GMT -5
Ah. Never mind!
I do have a friend who found that she simply couldn't ride in tennis shoes without foot pain. Once she switched to a stiffer-soled cycling shoe, the problem went away. Good luck.
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Post by xenagoddess on May 23, 2006 14:03:28 GMT -5
Okay ... well that is encouraging. Thanks for your feedback!
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Post by xenagoddess on May 24, 2006 19:34:16 GMT -5
Vita: I went on a great ride today and strangely enough didn't have any problem with my feet going to sleep. I rode across town and picked up my son from school. We took the bus home (they have bike racks!). The ride was probably about 6 miles and if I had done it straight through wouldn't have taken more than 45 minutes. It was really easy and the bike handled great. I will have to go on longer rides because this bike takes all the hard work out of riding.
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Post by xenagoddess on Jun 30, 2006 13:37:02 GMT -5
I got real clip in biking shoes yesterday and larger flat pedals (for my tennis shoes) that fit on the other side of the clip in pedal. (like you suggested Vita) I haven't gotten to try it out yet but hopefully this weekend I will have a chance. I have been enjoying riding so much. My partner got a bike as well so we have been having lots of family bike rides lately!
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Post by katelight on Aug 2, 2006 6:23:04 GMT -5
Kathy, I was wondering if you got your fold up bike to take on your trip to Europe. How did it work out? I'd love to see a picture of it. Katie
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Post by vita77 on Aug 2, 2006 6:58:47 GMT -5
Katie, I sure did! Here I am in front of my sister's 18-century farmhouse, toting bread for breakfast from the village bakery. Thanks for asking. It was wonderful to ride the roads of rural France on my own bike. I'm hoping to clock lots of miles on the folding bike.
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Post by katelight on Aug 3, 2006 6:13:31 GMT -5
Cool. Thanks for posting the picture. It's amazing to me how technology has made it possible to make a folding bike that's comfortable, and safe, and lightweight enough to actually take along on a plane. Btw. You look WONDERFUL!!! Katie
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Post by srhoads on Aug 14, 2006 20:46:10 GMT -5
Hey Vita,
Just wanted to say hi! I'm new to the board and I'm a spinning instructor at a YMCA. I don't ride outside tho I would absolutely love to. I love spinning-it's such an awesome workout. You look great!
Sharon
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Post by xenagoddess on Oct 18, 2006 17:45:57 GMT -5
VITA: I was wondering if you have ever done the AIDS ride. I am considering doing it in June. SF to LA. 545 miles in 7 days. Do you have any experience with this kind of event?
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Post by vita77 on Oct 18, 2006 20:46:07 GMT -5
Hi Xena...I've never done AIDS/Lifecycle. Currently our local AIDS ride is just a one-day event (there used to be a 4-day Raleigh to DC ride, but it was discontinued before I started my riding career).
The closest experience I have is that earlier this month I did a 3-day option on Cycle North Carolina. CNC is a 431-mile, 7-day ride across the state. It was great fun, so I'll probably sign up for the full 7-day ride next October. The ride averages about 60 miles a day, which can be tough on the hilly stages and/or in bad weather (hot or rainy).
The SF to LA ride will be closer to 80 miles a day - not to be taken lightly! But there's no reason you can't do it if you train properly. Just remember that you have to ride - and sleep in a tent - no matter the weather. The payback, I bet, will be an incredible level of camaraderie and sense of purpose & achievement. If I lived in CA, I'd be tempted. Go for it!
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